Listen Live
Sunrise Gold

Public across Bradford district urged to stay alert to COVID-19

Thursday, 2 July 2020 at 09:21

By Raj Parmar X @allaboutraj

Bradford residents are being urged to stay alert to COVID-19 and follow safety guidelines, health experts have warned.

The easing of some lockdown restrictions has already led to a large increase in the number of people travelling, meeting up and returning to work – footfall in Bradford city centre is estimated to have risen by as much as 60 per cent since non-essential retailers were allowed to reopen their doors on June 15.

This is expected to grow further from this Saturday as pubs, cafes, hotels, restaurants, guest houses, camp sites and hairdressers all over the district are given the go-ahead to reopen to customers for the first time since March.

Over the past two weeks Bradford has seen a decline in the number of cases of COVID-19 but the Council has today issued a warning that the number of people  testing positive for the virus is still too high - and that the risk of localised outbreaks remains.   Public Health England data quoted in the press has revealed that Bradford has one of the highest infection rates in the UK.  Bradford, Barnsley and Rochdale are all quoted as having infection rates of 45 or more cases per 100,000 people in the last week. 

Director of Public Health Sarah Muckle said: “As we take more and more steps towards returning to a more normal life, it’s easy to believe that COVID-19 is less of a threat to our health and the health of our family and friends. This is simply not the case.

“While lockdown was essential for reducing the levels of the virus circulating in our communities, the easing of lockdown takes us into a phase of learning to live with the virus.

“It’s encouraging that we’re seeing a decline in cases, but Bradford still has high numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19, higher than other parts of the UK. It has not gone from our lives. We are still seeing people in our hospitals with the virus and it still has the potential to make our loved ones, who may be more vulnerable, seriously ill.

“It is good news that more people are being tested because once people know they have COVID-19 they can self-isolate and via NHS Test and Trace we can ensure their contacts take appropriate action. However, what we want is more people not to get the virus at all.”

The advice to residents is that people can still have the virus despite showing no symptoms and that everybody should continue to:

  • Wash their hands frequently
  • Stay at home as much as possible
  • Stay two metres apart from people who are not in their household

Ms Muckle added: “The risk of catching Coronavirus is much less if you are two metres away from an infected person than if you are one metre.

“Until the number of cases in Bradford comes down, we’re asking people to be extra cautious and continue to keep two metres apart from people they don't live with. If two metres isn’t possible you should wear a face covering.”

Share

More from Local and National News

  • Man Charged After Islington Shopping Centre Stabbing as Police Hunt Gunman

    A 36-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder following a stabbing at Angel Central shopping centre in Islington, where two other men were shot during the same incident. One shooting victim suffered life-changing injuries, while police continue searching for the gunman.

  • Two More Arrested in £1 Million University of Greater Manchester Fraud Investigation

    Greater Manchester Police have arrested two more men as part of a major investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the University of Greater Manchester. Detectives are examining suspected fraudulent activity worth more than £1 million, involving approximately 60 transactions and over a million emails.

  • Bradford Florist Burgled Just Weeks After New Owner Takes Over

    A florist in Wibsey, Bradford, has been targeted by a burglar just weeks after its new owner took over the business. Scentiments, on St Enoch's Road, suffered a smashed window and damage to its till during the early-hours break-in. Police are investigating and have collected evidence from the scene.

  • Bradford Woman Jailed for 10 Years Over Fatal 143mph Lamborghini Crash

    A 26-year-old Bradford woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after causing the death of her 20-year-old passenger in a high-speed crash on the M62. Humaira Batool reached speeds of up to 143mph in a hired Lamborghini Urus before losing control in wet conditions, killing Mohammed Shaan Hussain.

  • West London Homes Cracking as Residents Blame HS2 Tunnelling

    Residents near Queen's Park station in West London say their homes are developing serious cracks and suffering subsidence following HS2 tunnelling work. Emergency scaffolding has been installed at one property, with some residents relocated. HS2 says ground movement from tunnelling has been small and that unusually dry weather may be contributing to the damage.

  • Man Seriously Injured in Uxbridge Bus Attack

    A 51-year-old man has suffered potentially life-changing injuries following a serious assault on a bus in Uxbridge, West London. Police are investigating the incident, which happened on Belmont Road on Monday afternoon, and are appealing for witnesses.

  • Two Charged Over Historical Child Abuse in Bradford

    A man and woman, both aged 68, have been charged following an investigation into historical child sexual abuse in Bradford. The allegations relate to offences involving a 14-year-old girl in the Thorpe Edge area during the late 1970s.

  • Man Convicted of Rape in Leeds Hyde Park Area

    A 36-year-old man has been found guilty of raping a woman in the Hyde Park area of Leeds. Uvesh Vahora was convicted following a trial at Leeds Crown Court and has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 11 November.

  • Over Half of London Women Feel Unsafe Exercising After Dark

    New research from the This Girl Can campaign reveals that 54 per cent of women in London feel unsafe exercising outdoors alone after dark. Concerns about harassment and intimidation are forcing many women to change their fitness routines, with a London running club planning additional group sessions to help women exercise safely during winter.

  • Woman Fighting for Life After Bradford Stabbing

    A 40-year-old woman has been left with life-threatening injuries following a stabbing in Buttershaw, Bradford. A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon as police investigate two linked scenes.

  • Lamborghini Crash Driver Arrested at Hospital After Missing Sentencing

    A Bradford woman convicted of causing her friend's death in a 140mph Lamborghini crash on the M62 has been arrested at hospital after failing to attend her sentencing hearing. Humaira Batool, 26, has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced today (3 November).

  • Six Men with London Links Feature on NCA Most Wanted List

    Six men with connections to London feature on the National Crime Agency's most wanted list, including suspects linked to major drug trafficking investigations, alleged holiday fraud and money laundering. The NCA is appealing for information to help locate those wanted in connection with the investigations.

On Air Now Bollywood Mix 1:00am - 4:00am

Listener Club

Get more with the Listener Club!

  • The Golden Era The Golden Era

    The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm

  • Legal Show Legal Show

    Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.

  • Bhangra Nights Bhangra Nights

    Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm

  • Alim OnAir Alim OnAir

    Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.